Raiders will have 152 combined playoff games of experience on their side vs. Texans

The Oakland Raiders are equipped with more playoff experience than they are given credit for.

Oakland has 152 games of postseason experience between its coaching staff and players. The coaching staff has 96 combined playoff games experience, while the roster boasts players with 56 combined games on it.

The combination led to questions regarding whether or not bringing in so much experience was part of a larger plan during media availability Thursday. To which, Del Rio turned the focus back to the team’s youth.

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“I think, obviously, anybody that’s been there before has the experience they can speak from and help the younger guys understand. Younger guys play very well in games throughout the year for us. We just want them to be themselves and do their own thing and do like they’ve done all year. Really, it’s just be a good teammate, take care of your responsibilities.”

Del Rio leads the coaching staff with 12 playoff games experience as a coach. The first of which came as part of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl champion team.

The players are led in playoff experience by edge-rushing linebacker Bruce Irvin with his total of 10 games. Irvin is followed by fellow former Seattle Seahawk and current Raiders inside linebacker, Malcolm Smith’s eight games.

Overall the rosters has six players with at least six playoff games of experience. Unfortunately for Oakland fans, none of these games can be claimed by Saturday’s starting quarterback Connor Cook.

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In fact, this will be the first time in the Super Bowl era (1966) a quarterback will get his first start ever in the postseason.

The good news is the Raiders are facing one of the game’s worst quarterbacks in Texans starter Brock Osweiler Saturday, and any victory will have to come largely at the hands of the defense. A unit that has ranked near the bottom in yards and points allowed per game most of the season, but has improved as the season wore on.

If defensive player of the year candidate — and playoff game rookie — Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack can lead this unit to perform well, Oakland should see their playoff victory drought end at 14 years.